7 Things You Need to Know About Opill, the First OTC Birth Control Pill

From physician’s appointments to prescriptions to price obstacles, getting dependable, efficient contraception hasn’t at all times been a simple course of. However all that’s altering as we speak, as Opill—the primary over-the-counter (OTC) contraception tablet—begins hitting cabinets at shops throughout the nation.

The tablet is likely one of the hottest types of contraception and has been utilized by hundreds of thousands of individuals for over 60 years, because the Meals & Drug Administration (FDA) first permitted oral contraception in 1960. Final yr, in a momentous transfer, the FDA permitted Opill as the primary contraception tablet to be used and not using a prescription.

This marked a historic development in entry to contraception, permitting extra individuals to take management of their reproductive and sexual well being. 

Because the colourful bins turn out to be extensively obtainable each in shops and on-line, it’s vital to grasp how Opill works, who can use it, the place to seek out it, and what to anticipate once you take it. Let’s dive into the highest seven issues you must know earlier than you choose up Opill.

1. Opill is a “mini tablet”

Opill is a day by day progestin-only contraception tablet that stops being pregnant primarily by thickening cervical mucus, making it more durable for the sperm and egg to satisfy.It really works a bit in a different way from mixed hormonal contraception capsules that include each progestin and estrogen, which additionally sometimes cease ovulation altogether.

Progestin-only capsules, additionally referred to as the mini tablet, must be taken on the identical time on daily basis to be efficient at stopping being pregnant.

2. It’s secure for many individuals, but it surely’s not proper for everybody

Opill, like different progestin-only capsules, is a secure and efficient contraception tablet that may be taken by most individuals who can get pregnant. When used as directed, Opill is 98 p.c efficient at stopping being pregnant (only a tad lower than mixed hormonal contraception capsules). 

You shouldn’t use Opill or every other model of mini tablet when you at the moment have breast most cancers. Likewise, discuss to your well being care supplier earlier than utilizing the mini tablet you probably have any of the next:

• A historical past of most cancers
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Liver illness or a liver tumor
• A historical past of bariatric surgical procedure
• Lupus

Additionally discuss to your supplier about whether or not the mini-pill is secure for you when you’re taking anticonvulsant medicine, like seizure drugs.

3. You should buy it in shops or on-line

By mid-April, Opill will likely be on retailer cabinets in any respect main retailers, together with drug shops, pharmacies, and comfort shops throughout the U.S. and its territories. You’ll not want a prescription to get Opill, that means you should purchase it identical to you’ll a bottle of Tylenol or tube of sunscreen. Nonetheless, some shops and retailers could select to lock up Opill, that means you could have to speak to somebody who works there to have it unlocked. 

Moreover, you possibly can order Opill on-line from most main retailers in addition to straight from the maker, pharmaceutical firm Perrigo.

4. The associated fee would possibly fluctuate relying on the place you purchase it

The instructed retail worth of Opill is $19.99 for a one-month provide, $49.99 ($16.66/month) for a three-month provide, and $89.99 ($14.99/month) for a six-month provide (this latter choice will likely be obtainable on-line solely). Nonetheless, it will likely be as much as particular person retailers to set their worth, which can fluctuate throughout shops and places. 

For individuals who need assistance affording the tablet, Opill.com can have a value help program obtainable quickly.

5. You’ll be able to simply swap Opill to your present technique of contraception

That’s proper—you possibly can swap from one other technique of contraception (hormonal or not) to Opill straight away. You’ll have to make use of a backup technique of contraception (like condoms) for a pair days, although, relying on which technique you’re utilizing proper now and the way constant you’ve been. 

In the event you’re at the moment utilizing a hormonal technique (for instance, different manufacturers of contraception capsules) and have been constantly utilizing that technique, you can begin taking Opill the day you get it and cease taking your outdated tablet. In the event you’re switching from a mixture tablet to Opill, you’ll wish to be sure to swap throughout your lively weeks, not your placebo week. In the event you swap throughout your placebo week, you’ll have to make use of a backup technique for 48 hours after beginning Opill.  

In the event you’re on a nonhormonal technique of contraception, haven’t been utilizing your hormonal technique constantly, or are at the moment not on any contraception, you’ll want to make use of a backup technique of contraception for 48 hours after beginning Opill. 

6. You might need uncomfortable side effects

Similar to different manufacturers of the mini tablet, some individuals could expertise uncomfortable side effects on Opill. These could embody bleeding adjustments, sore breasts, nausea, pimples, or a change in your intercourse drive. 

Opill is a four-week lively tablet pack, so you’ll not have a withdrawal bleed throughout the placebo week, like with the mix tablet. You’ll have intermittent recognizing, although, which is regular.

7. Consistency is essential

It’s vital to take Opill on the identical time on daily basis or inside a three-hour window of that point for it to be efficient at stopping being pregnant. So, say you are taking your tablet at 8 a.m. on daily basis; if the following day you are taking it after 11 a.m., you’ll have to make use of a backup contraception technique for 48 hours (whereas persevering with to take Opill as directed). 

In different phrases, in case you are three or extra hours late to your tablet or miss a tablet at any time, use a backup technique like a condom you probably have intercourse within the subsequent two days.

The takeaway

Opill is step one in bridging the hole in individuals’s entry to contraception and their capacity to take management of their reproductive well being journey.

However whereas it’s a complete game-changer that contraception capsules are actually obtainable OTC, Opill may not be proper for everybody. For most individuals, contraception is a journey, and nobody technique goes to work for everybody on a regular basis. Folks typically undergo a number of strategies over the course of their life, and having data about and entry to many strategies is vital to discovering a contraception technique you like. 

In case you have any questions on Opill or aren’t positive if it’s best for you, discuss to your OB/GYN or main care supplier.

Raegan McDonald-Mosley, MD, MPH, is a board-certified OB/GYN and the CEO of Energy to Determine, a company with a mission to advance sexual and reproductive well-being for all.